Toni Huata, Ngāti Kahungunu and Rongowhakaata, has been appointed to the newly established role of Kaihautū Puoro Māori - Director of Māori Music at SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music. 

This new role will be responsible for the implementation and development of SOUNZ’s Māori Music Strategy. SOUNZ Executive Director, Diana Marsh, said, “This full-time leadership role is a significant new direction for SOUNZ as we intend to work with Māori composers to expand our collection and the work that we do to represent the music of Aotearoa.” 

“SOUNZ is delighted to appoint such an experienced candidate to this role,” said Diana Marsh, in announcing the appointment today. “Toni has shown a strong commitment to Māori music through her work with numerous organisations in both leadership roles and as a composer and musician, and we are fortunate to have her join the SOUNZ whānau to further promote and share the music of Māori composers.”

Ms Huata says, “I'm very happy to support SOUNZ in this new role and acknowledge all that have contributed towards the fruition of this journey. I look forward with much excitement to connecting and collaborating with many organisations and composers in this coming year; highlighting our uniqueness yet commonality from our special place in this world - Aotearoa. 
Nō reira, āku nui, āku rahi, kā nui rā ngā mihi ki a koutou mō tō koutou tautoko ki te kaupapa kai mua i a tātau. E rere e te huata hopukia, e rere e te manuka tomokia.”

Toni Huata brings a wide variety of skills to this role, including manager, director, producer and performer. Toni is well known within the culture sector in New Zealand as a practitioner and promoter of Māori culture, music and performance. She has served in governance roles with Te Runanga o Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Whanganui ā Tara, Pūatatangi - Toi Māori Aotearoa, Taki Rua Productions, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated and other iwi and Māori agencies.

SOUNZ would like to thank the Lottery Grants Board and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori for their support of SOUNZ's Māori Music Strategy and this role.

SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand music works to champion the music of New Zealand’s composers. SOUNZ is home to a diverse and vibrant collection of information, scores, recordings and films of New Zealand music and performances. Creative collaborations with partner organisations such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, RNZ Concert, APRA and NZ On Air highlight the organisation’s ongoing growth and development through events and projects that promote the music of Aotearoa to national and international audiences.

Announcing the release of ‘Ha’ music video online! Live now at https://youtu.be/x-FG0u42F4g

And Toni Huata’s 7^th studio album

‘ Te Rerenga – The Journey ’ LIVE NOW 

Open in:

•  iTunes
•  Apple Music
•  Spotify

Shot against the backdrop of the greater Wellington region and directed by Canaan Akuhata-Brown, ‘Ha” explores the day to day challenges that face many whanau and the beautiful depths of love within us all, as they come together, 

to dance against the odds.

 ‘This is our whānau mental health kaupapa. For when we’re overwhelmed or challenged in life - all we need to do is to take a moment, breathe and trust that balance will be restored once again. I think the video is fantastic in capturing whānau leaving any woes behind and just letting their hair down! Simply put by Motion Valley – ‘We follow numerous people in their daily life as they struggle and feel overwhelmed. Each character then breaks free into dance to overcome the stress’. I think it is positive and uplifting in all their own unique way! -Toni Huata

Cast: Toni Huata, Adrian Wagner, Te Okanga and Ropine Huata-Wagner; Lois Reid, Maureen Collins-Lucic, Kelly Te Moananui, Te Aranga, Tyler and Rina Mata; Arohanui Watene, Chris Clegg,  Matt Renata, Tui Innes, Nicky Finn, Timon Zeiss, Christine Godetz, Sophia Stephens and Stainton Anderson.

Proudly supported by Te Māngai Pāho and with many thanks to Motion Valley, cast and whānau.

‘Te Rerenga – The Journey’ released in both in CD and LIVE online at:

The Mākaro Room, Te Wharewaka o Pōneke - Function Centre

Thursday, September the 13 th from 5pm till 8pm

Māori Language Week 10-16 September 2018

Hot on the heels of a very busy Matariki season and Māori Music Month. Which not only saw Toni Huata performing new works throughout Aotearoa, but also the release of both her new video singles ‘AIO’ and ‘WAIORA’. Toni is delighted to announce the upcoming release of her new album.

‘ Te Rerenga – The Journey ’

This 16 track album, is a collaboration between Pitch Black producer Paddy Free and Toni, including a reunion with renowned composer Gareth Farr. This album will be heralded by the release of the albums third video single ‘HĀ’ and the whānau friendly event TE RERENGA – He Reo Ora

- A night of Music, Kapahaka, Dance and Slam Poetry, in celebration of both Toni’s album release and Māori Language Week.

This stunning event with feature live performance from not only Toni Huata but also featuring performances from Te Kahu Rolleston, Timotimo, Te Kura Māori o Porirua, Brannigan Kaa, Horomona Horo, Te Kura o Ōtari and Toni’s debut videos. Taking place at The Mākaro Room, Te Wharewaka Function Centre

Thursday September the 13^th from 5pm till 8pm

Entry by Koha, RSVP to Waahuu@xtra.co.nz is essential.

‘Te Rerenga’ is about a journey. From the journey of our ancestors travelling from Hawaiki to Aotearoa; to journeys of family, relationship, friendship and reconnection; to reflection, love, identity & homeland; to my own personal health journey over the past 2 years. We were very lucky to be supported by Te Māngai Pāhō for 5 music videos alongside this album and we thank all our whānau, cast and crew that were involved. We also thank all the musicians, composers and production team for the support creating this wonderful project. ‘Te Rerenga’ is a full array of genre from dub, ambient, world, dance, classical and soul. All the songs have their own story and it was particularly special to finally include ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and our Turakina version to the late Hone Tuwhare poem ‘Rain’